Lore brings drag, dance and day parties to Edgewood Avenue
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The club aims to be an inclusive third space for Atlantans, particularly queer people. Photos: @hellacurious; Tim Dorr/Courtesy of Lore
An LGBTQ nightclub and performance venue with a packed dance floor at night and an arts and crafts social by day is breathing new life into Edgewood Avenue.
Why it matters: Lore, a collaborative effort by Nonsense ATL and Wussy Mag, wants to give Atlantans an inclusive third space at a time when Atlanta's queer spaces are disappearing, Wussy's Jon Dean told Axios.
Catch up quick: Welcome to the nightclub that's more than a nightclub.
- A busy schedule includes rotating drag shows, dance parties, workshops, karaoke and "dayclubbing" — an alternative for people who don't want to start partying late in the evening.
What they're saying: "Even if they're not coming out to have a full-on rager, they can still come out early, and they're going to see people they know, and the bartenders are going to be friendly, and they can have a little safe space away from home," Dean said.
The vibe: Upon entering the roughly 4,000-square-foot space, you're greeted by a long bar with a mammoth mirrorball and space to mingle and talk downstairs. Upstairs you'll find a drag stage and dance space.
Listen up: Scott Lockhart, one half of Nonsense, said the club's BassBoss sound system is powerful and loud without being painful: crisp and clear rather than booming and overbearing.
- Kimberly Turner, the other half of the dance party team, said guests have told her they can still carry on conversations on the dance floor.
Behind the scenes: The green room has five makeup and dressing areas where drag queens and others can prepare to perform somewhere besides home or their car.
- The bathroom is a "urinal palace" with a Versailles mural, Lockhart said.
Catch up quick: Wussy, which hosts drag parties, movie screenings and queer art events, made the jump to a brick-and-mortar space to have more control over their programming and stability.
Zoom out: Lore joins other new LGBTQ-owned spots like Sister Louisa's and Joystick Gamebar and recent arrival Pisces, DJ and party promoter Ree de la Vega's new club in the former Sound Table space.
What's next: Expect drag brunch, a growing array of non-alcoholic drinks and parties for Halloween and Pride, Dean said.
Hours vary. Full schedule on Lore's website and Instagram